Program Overview
As magnetic recording density increases, the traditional magnetic recording method faces the limitation from superparamagnetism. Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) will most likely become the next generation of magnetic recording technology, which can push the recording density to 4-5 Tb/in2. It also possible for HAMR to combine with other technology such as bit patterned media (BPM) to reach the density of 10 Tb/in2. The main difference between HAMR and tradition magnetic recording (perpendicular magnetic recording, PMR) is the introduction of thermal energy converted from light energy. Therefore, HAMR is a multidiscipline technology which covers optical, thermal and magnetic respects.
The program works on studying the thermal energy delivery system and thermal effects on the recording performance and recording system reliability. The work scopes include design, analysis and fabrication of high efficient near field optical transducer and HAMR optical head; Optical and thermal design and analysis of HAMR head and media; New material exploration for HAMR head application; Optical and thermal property characterizations of thin film; HAMR writing strategy and ultra-fast magnetic switching and recording. The targets are to achieve reliable HAMR system with transducer efficiency of 8% for density of 4 Tb/in2.
Research focus
- Design of highly efficient near field optical transducer
- Reliability analysis of near field optical transducer
- New material explorations for near field optical transducer
- Thermal design and analysis of HAMR media and head
- Characterization of thin film optical and thermal properties
- Ultrafast magnetic switching
Research capability
- Design, simulation of surface plasmon devices
- Simulation and measurement of near field optics
- Thermal simulation and analysis
- Optical property characterization of thin film
- Thermal property characterization of thin film
- Nano-process
- Optical design and simulation (geometric optics)
- Analysis of ultrafast opto-magnetic phenomenon
(a) Characterization of near field optics (b) Thermal characterization of thin film
Study of ultra-fast dynamic magnetic phenomenon
Design, analysis and fabrication of near field optical transducer
Pulse laser heating strategy and its performance analysis